Activity Report: 2017 - 2018 #10/23, Sharada, Thiruvengadam Street, R
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A unit of Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham Charitable Trust Activity Report: 2017 - 2018 #10/23, Sharada, Thiruvengadam Street, R. A. Puram, Chennai - 600 028 V-Excel Educational Trust Activity Report: 2017-18 Table of Contents Significant Events ....................................................................................................................................... 2 International Paper Presentation .......................................................................................................... 2 The Lion King .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Awards and Recognition ........................................................................................................................ 3 Blue Sky Choir ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Tarang .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Wipro Marathon .................................................................................................................................... 4 Media Interactions ................................................................................................................................. 4 Resource Development .............................................................................................................................. 5 Tech Mahindra Smart Class+ ................................................................................................................. 5 Learning Opportunities for students and staff .......................................................................................... 5 Bonding outside the Special school ........................................................................................................... 6 Café Samarth .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Showcasing our products ....................................................................................................................... 6 Community Impact .................................................................................................................................... 8 Vocational Services .................................................................................................................................... 9 Valued Visitors ........................................................................................................................................... 9 From our departments ............................................................................................................................. 10 Highlights from our Satellite centres ....................................................................................................... 10 A Few Success Stories .............................................................................................................................. 10 1 | P a g e Activity Report: 2017-18 V-Excel Educational Trust Significant Events International Paper Presentation - This year's DISES roundtable conference in Sofia, Bulgaria concluded on June 30, 2017. Dr. Vasudha Prakash presented a paper on the "Impact of In-service Training on Teacher Attitudes towards Inclusion in India". The paper drew attention to the positive impact made through enhancing teachers’ outlook towards children with learning problems. The Lion King - We had a very exclusive annual day where nearly 100 of our special children participated in various roles in the musical, ”The Lion King”. The show went on stage on January 11th, with a thronging audience and ended with a standing ovation. The props made by the trainees of Vocational Training Unit were exceptional and mind-blowing in setting the stage to represent the savannah lands! The most important aspect of the show was that it was the first time ever, that a forum like was utilised by a group of youngsters to enhance public awareness about disability. 2 | P a g e Activity Report: 2017-18 Awards and Recognition We are happy to announce that our Guidestar India Gold Certification for financial transparency has been further extended into 2018. Vasudha Prakash was conferred the Award of Excellence in Social Significance at BWW Global's Inspire Awards 2017, held at the University of Madras, Chennai, on November 26. Mrs. Lekshmi Ramesh, the Program Director of our Remedial Programs, received the Redington "SAHYOG" Teacher Award 2017 for her exemplary contribution in promoting education. Mrs. Usha Rajagopal, Program Director, Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Services, was honoured on March 8, 2018 at the International Women's Day celebration organised by Thursday Ladies Club, for her relentless service as a volunteer towards empowering persons with special needs. Jayanthi Vishwanath, the Regional Director, was formally inducted into the prestigious Inspection team (which constitutes 10 members) of the Government of Maharashtra, to assess the Day-care and Residential facilities for the special populace, currently existing in the State. Also, at an event celebrating International Women's Day (March 8), Mrs. Jayanthi Vishwanath, was felicitated by the Rotary Club of Nashik Grape City for her work in the disability sector. Blue Sky Choir – On 5th October the Blue Sky Choir was invited by Pathshala, the Krishnamurthi School in Tiruvallur. It was an uplifting experience for both the receivers and the givers. The Choir, which comprises of the children and a few teachers, was at its busiest in December 2017. Five concerts in five different schools were held. The children had a wonderful experience and their confidence of facing an audience seems to have increased. New songs have also been added to the repertoire of songs. On 26th January, Republic Day, the Blue Sky Choir performed at a Fete at PSBB Millennium, Chennai. Tarang – Tarang, a music series of concerts by renowned singers and musicians, has been a popular program among our children and artists alike. The concept behind Tarang has been that of providing equal opportunities to cultural events for the special population, which otherwise is unable to attend formal concerts due to social exclusion. 3 | P a g e Activity Report: 2017-18 Wipro Marathon - Many of our trainees from our different units participated in this annual event. Our student Preethi was applauded and recognised at the Wipro marathon for her determination and courage, and for completing the 10 Km run. Also, for Chennai Wipro Marathon, we got orders for 60 mugs and 65 boxes of chocolates to give away as gifts, and Bhoomi Mitra shopping bags were madefor the runners of Chennai Wipro Marathon. Javate 2018 at Lady Andal School, Chetpet happened on 17 February. Our children have been winning prizes for the last 4 years in a row. Media Interactions – V-Excel’s and Dr.Vasudha Prakash's journey were featured in a recent online article by ‘Your Story’. We also had a press meet on December 7, 2017 where we were recorded by 4 | P a g e Activity Report: 2017-18 around 18 newspapers and news channels regarding V-Excel organization and the ATE Course. The preparations and events leading up to our staging of the Lion King were covered in the New Indian Express and many other publications. Resource Development Tech Mahindra Smart Class+, an ATE (Academy of Teacher Excellence) program supported by Tech Mahindra Foundation and Annamalai University was inaugurated on Saturday June 10, 2017 at our premises in R.A. Puram with 42 candidates. The courses run include Special Education for Multiple Disabilities, Inclusive Education, and Vocational Training. We had the Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) Program conducted by NIEPMD at our R.A. Puram Center (Chennai) in March 2018. 30 Special Educators availed of this advanced program. Three months Certificate Program on Specific Learning Disabilities, jointly organized by V-Excel Educational Trust and SDS Institute of Behavioural Sciences was inaugurated on January 20, 2018. More than 30 professionals enrolled for the program. Ms. Dheepa B., our Erode Center Coordinator, has topped the B.Ed. Special Education offered by the Tamil Nadu Open University. Learning Opportunities for students and staff As a part of the experiential learning our trainees were taken to the Fortis Malar Hospital in Adyar, this month. The trainees were shown the emergency ward, Lab, Out Patient department, help centre, bill counter, ICU and the General wards. Another journey of experiential learning was the 3 hour session conducted by St. Johns Ambulance on First Aid. Health emergencies as well as emergencies due to injury were discussed. The trainees also did Helmet awareness in Adyar, as a part of the Down Syndrome day. Charumathi and Meera Suresh from V-Excel went to Bangalore to attend the Mission 1000 event organized by Enable India. Various NGOs working in the area of Social Inclusion in job markets assembled and shared their experiences. It was a very good enriching workshop. Parimal attended a 3 day workshop on "Unraveling the Will" in Theosophical Society. It was mainly facilitated by movement therapist and eurythamist Dilnawaz Bana and Sabine a curative teacher and physical educationist. 5 | P a g e Activity Report: 2017-18 On January 14, our senior special